Roger Federer has revealed that he will be aiming to go out on a high at this week’s Laver Cup as he prepares to say goodbye to professional tennis after a stunning 24-year career. The Swiss icon announced earlier this month that he would be retiring after the Laver Cup, where he will join the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in representing Team Europe.
Federer has struggled with a chronic knee injury over the last few years and has not played since losing to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2021. He is aiming to grace the court for the final time at the Laver Cup, though, and is seemingly planning to call time on his illustrious career at the end of Friday’s on-court action.
The 41-year-old told Swiss outlet Aargauer Zeitung that he will take part in the doubles but not the singles over the course of this weekend, meaning that his last match as a professional will be played on Friday. Federer is also looking to perform at an ‘acceptable level’ as he aims to inspire Team Europe to victory with his final contribution as a player.
It has already been suggested that Federer will partner Rafael Nadal in the doubles at the Laver Cup, with the man himself insisting that he would love to bow out alongside his Spanish rival when quizzed on the possibility of doing so on Tuesday.
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“Maybe I can play doubles with Rafa, that would be an absolute dream,” he said.
Federer has received an outpouring of support in the weeks since announcing his decision to retire and will be desperate to give his fans something to cheer about at the Laver Cup, which is being held at London’s O2 Arena later this week. Nadal was among those to pay tribute to Federer with a heartfelt message on social media, with the Spaniard underlining his pride at sharing the court with his Swiss icon on so many occasions over the years.
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“Dear Roger, my friend and rival, I wish this day would have never come,” wrote Nadal on Instagram. “It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports people around the world. I said it to you when we spoke and now it’s here.
“It’s been a pleasure but also an honour and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court. We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that.
“For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London at the @lavercup.”
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